^ 




Class :?S_diJ. 
Rnnk "' 



CopightN". 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



!p 




THE GLEN PATH 



'^ Still I love to wander through it. 
For a charm that never wanes 
And a peace that cools life's fevers 
There abides and aye remains.'''' 



Zbc ©len Ipatb 

anb ®tber Soiigs 

BY 
SAMUEL THEODORE KIDDER 




BOSTON 

SHERMAN, FRENCH ^ COMPANY 

1915 






Copyright, 1915 
Sherman, French 6* Compant 



./ 



/^O 



JAY 17 1915 

OCU398842 



r-^ 



TO 
MY FAMILY 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

Of the poems appearing in this collection, " Good 
Cheer " and " The Servant " were first published 
in The Survey; " A May Morning " and " An April 
Song," in The Advance; " The Lord in His Tem- 
ple," in The Congregationalist; " The Last Snow," 
•' Incerta," and the Beloit songs with the exception 
of " Into all the World," in The Beloit College 
Round Table; " The Evergreen Hills " and " The 
Glen Path," in The Ripon Commonwealth; " What 
Life Attains," in " A Life of Mrs. Clarissa Tucker 
Tracy," compiled by Mrs. E. H. Merrell; to all of 
which publications thanks are due for permission 
to reprint. 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

The Glen Path 1 

The Lord in His Temple 3 

The Fire, the Fan, and the Pruning- 

knife 6 

A May Morning 7 

The Servant 8 

Edelweiss 10 

The Face of God 11 

Cams Sub Mensa 12 

On the Road, Afoot 16 

Good Cheer 17 

The Old Church 18 

Chequamegon Bay 20 

Autumna Regina 21 

The "Analusis" 22 

Eastertide 24 

Jubilee Hymn 25 

The Evergreen Hills 27 

For an Eightieth Birthday 28 

Frustra 29 

Godspeed 30 

Christmas Greetings 31 

A Field of Floating Ice-cakes .... 32 

Nearing Home 33 

A Valentine 34 

A Song of September 35 

"My Peace I Give unto You" . ... 36 

An April Song 37 

Vintage-time 39 



PAGE 

Sunset to Gloaming 40 

Gulls over Lake Michigan 42 

Heart's Challenge 43 

Incerta 44 

Dedication Hymn 45 

Off the Newfoundland Coast .... 47 

The Last Snow 18 

For a Lake de Nevue Cottage Guest-book 50 

God's Peace 51 

A Dream of the Meadows 52 

Serenetas 5S 

"Ebenezer" 54 

FOR ALMA MATER 

A Song for Beloit 57 

Hymn 59 

"Into All the World" 60 

Ye Sophomore 63 

In ]\Iemory of Professor James J. Blaisdell QQ 



THE GLEN PATH 
AND OTHER SONGS 



THE GLEN PATH 

There's a winding, Icaf-strcwn way 
Where my footsteps love to stray 
In the summer, in tlie winter, 
In the night or in the day; 

Down the glen and througli the hollow — 
Trails the squirrels love to follow ; 
Roads that lead to fairy realms 
'Neath the arching oaks and elms ; 

Blue sky over; green grass under; 
Elfin lace entwined with wonder; 
Trailing vines and scented clover 
Where the song-birds find a cover. 

There the asters spray their purple; 
Golden-rod in splendor gleams. 
'Tis a violet-sprinkled pathway 
Down that vale of happy dreams. 

You should see the autumn sunset 
Glint along those leaf-paved aisles. 
You should see the winter snow-drifts 
Whirling down those deep defiles ; — 

Glistening 'neath the spell of moonbeams 
Like the sheen of marble halls, 
Glowing in midsummer sunshine, 
Tapestried with leafy walls ! 

[1] 



still I love to wander through it, 
For a charm that never wanes, 
And a peace that calms life's fevers. 
There abides and aye remains. 

There, in dreams, I still go roaming - 
Though I traverse distant ways — 
'Mid dear memories and fancies 
Of long-vanished, golden days. 



[2] 



THE LORD IN HIS TEMPLE 
A POEM FOR PALM SUNDAY 

I 

Where Zion's temple lifts on high 
Its golden splendors toward God's sky, 
What comes this way with loud acclaim? 
A strange processional, aflame 
With fresh green boughs and waving palms, 
Round one most kingly, chanting psalms — '■ 
" Hosanna ! " 

Now near and nearer draws the throng, 
Redoubling as it moves along. 
It climbs the steep ; the " Golden gate " 
It passes, pleased to celebrate 
That meek prince riding to his throne — 
While rings, in ever rising tone, 
" Hosanna ! " 

Within, base venders clink their coin; 
Feigned sanctity and thieving join. 
Here mitered priests and wide-robed scribes — 
Lords of oppression, skilled in bribes — 
Fleece God's poor flock. Who comes this way.'* 
The Lord his temple views today ! 
Hosanna ! 



[3] 



II 

Hear now the sweet-voiced children sing, 
Whose unstained hearts best know the King. 
Here wait sad groups of blind and lame, 
In eager hope of him who came 
To heal all ills — of flesh, of souls — 
While joyously that chorus rolls — 
" Hosanna ! " 

Amazed, I read the tale again 
Of him, imperial among men — 
How from the temple-court that day 
The low-browed traders slunk away 
From his stern word and flaming eye, 
While babes and sucklings joined the cry — 
"Hosanna!" 

The " Son of David " hears their voice ; 
Such ne'er forbids he to rejoice; 
The very stones would cry if these 
Should hold their peace, for him they please 
Who loves the simple, grateful praise 
Which only guileless ones can raise - — 
Hosanna ! 



[4] 



Ill 

Once more the day of palms is nigh, 
God's Holy Temple still lifts high 
Its blue-arched dome, its sun-filled sky ! 
Nay, Lord, thy temple-fane am I — 
Thy dwelling-place ! Abide in me, 
O Christ, and let me sing for thee — 
Hosanna ! 

Still the same motley groups appear, 
Blind, lame and poor are ever near; 
Still venal traders plot for greed ; 
Stalk priest and scribe of slippery creed. 
Oh, for the Christ, and Christ-like men ; 
While sweet child-voices plead again — 
" Hosanna ! " 

Come to thy temple. Lord — thine own ! 
Scourge out the sin and take the throne. 
Heal thou mine eyes, that I may see; 
My feet, that I may speed for thee. 
Dwell in this temple, O my King ! 
So, with the children, will I sing, 
" Hosanna ! " 



[5] 



THE FIRE, THE FAN, AND THE 
PRUNING-KNIFE 

O Master, purge my soul this day, 
For thou its inmost needs canst see; 
Refine thy gold; burn out from me 

All useless dross that clogs my way ! 

Use thou thy fan with heavenly wind. 
And cleanse thy floor at any cost ; 
Expel my chaff, or life is lost ; 

Lord make me pure, for I have sinned! 

Have mercy on thy fruitless tree, 

Yet spare not axe nor pruning-knif e ; 
Send what I need, that so my life 

May bear sweet fruit eternally ! 



[6] 



A MAY MORNING 

As one who treads on holy ground and stands 
In awe, like Moses at the burning bush, 
With feet-unshod and spirit all ahush, 

Waiting the voice divine, with clasped hands, — 

So when sweet day-dawn flushes all the lands 
And matins soar to heaven with song of 

thrush 
And oriole, while meadow-flowers blush, 

Till, with new, glorious vision, life expands, — 

I muse — " This is God's day, and God is here. 
In reverence let me to his shrine draw near ! 

Let me discern his face and hear his voice ; 

In him and his fair world let me rejoice." 
So let me pass to labor, strong of heart. 
And in the world's great burdens bear my part. 



[7] 



THE SERVANT 

He who will serve is a servant, — 

Yea, a servant of high degree. 
For he stands by highest or lowliest 

With eyes clear-visioned to see. 

He who will serve is a brother 

In the brotherhood, warm and brave, 

That is broad as the race and as tender 
As the Brother who came to save. 

He who will serve is a lover; 

All service were else in vain. 
From a heart that makes all the world sweeter 

He labors more lovers to gain. 

He who will serve is a teacher; 

For many shall learn at his feet 
The art of all arts the noblest. 

Of turning life's bitter to sweet; 

The truth of all truths the deepest. 
Whose knowing must make men free ; 

The skill of all skills the finest, 
Of training to do and to be. 

He who will serve shall be master, 

Ruling and serving in one. 
Till multitudes league with the leader 

And the undone work can be done. 

[8] 



He who will serve shall be royal, 
Enthroned by the King of Kings ; 

His scepter, the will to deal justly; 
His crown the mead gratitude brings. 



[9] 



EDELWEISS 

Dear little exile from the frigid heights 
Of Alpine crags, cradled among the snows, 
Nested where glaciers gleam and fierce wind 
blows, 
Where verdure fails, nor bird-wing ventures 

flight,— 
Fair hast thou faced the sun most dazzling 
bright. 
Braved the black tempest raging o'er the 

floes. 
Breathed purest airs, lived where the ether 
glows 
And bathes the white world clean in heaven's 

light. 

Soft, dewy petals, like a cherub's wing. 

Once folded in the mountain's chilly arms ; 
White leaves first moulded in the realms 
of ice, — 
A gentle melody ye seem to sing 

Of life far-off", safe sheltered from alarms. 
God made thee, loves thee, tender edelweiss ! 



[10] 



THE FACE OF GOD 

There's not a wayside pool so foul with mud 
But that its depths, if we gaze deep enough, 
Reflect the pure blue of the summer sky 
And every fleecy cloud that floats o'erhead. 
So, if we learn with loving eyes to look 
Beneath humanity's rough, outward lines 
Deep down into the treasures of the soul, 
We shall behold, however much obscured 
By turbid waves of faults and weaknesses, 
The clear, reflected image of its God. 



[11] 



CANIS SUB MENSA 

Afar in the city of Milan, 

On Lombardy's splendent plain, 

Where the hoary Alps and Apennines 
Sweep down to the Venice main, 

In the famous Brera palace 

Of that land of illustrious art, 
A painting by Rubens the master is seen 

That is vivid and full of heart. 

'Tis the scene of the Blessed Supper, 
The night when our Lord was betrayed. 

With a human nature deftly limned 
In colors that never should fade. 

Round the board, with anxious faces, 

Are grouped the disciple band, 
While a luminous glow from the Master's brow 

O'ershadows the candle-stand. 

With awe you may study their features 
While the dear Christ blesses the bread; 

For the eyes of Judas glare haggard and fierce. 
But in John's are no traces of dread. 

Then, down in the dusky foreground, 
Nestled close by the Master's feet. 

Devotedly guarding his friend beloved 
And waiting his morsel of meat, 

[12] 



A dog lies under the table, 

Fulfilling his humble part, 
With a guise that would lick the hand beloved 

Or tear at a traitor's heart ! 

In the shadows he crouches in silence, 

With quiet but resolute mien, 
Watching alike for his crumb to fall 

Or a signal to service keen. 

'Tis a quaint and curious fancy. 

I wonder if haply 'twere so, — 
When the feast was o'er and the hymn was sung, 

Was the dog, too, ready to go? 

Did he pass down the vale of Kedron 

On that tragical midnight-march 
When the Christ so lovingly taught the twelve 

'Neath the sheen of the star-lit arch? 

Did he climb with the Lord to Gethsemane 
Where the drowsy disciples slept? 

'Neath the olives and stars, was it he alone 
Shared the vigil the Savior kept? 

When the Master bent prone in the agony 

And his blood-sweat fell on the sod, 
Did those dark eyes shine with compassionate 
awe 
By the form of the Son of God? 
[13] 



Did he bristle his crest at the onset 

Of the mob with bludgeons and swords, 

And sullenly growl till the Lord could soothe 
His anger with quieting words? 

Did the dog-ejes glitter with fury 

At the traitorous Judas-kiss 
Beneath the glare of the torches' flame 

Like an ominous serpent-hiss? 

Did he follow the rabble to Annas' hall 
When the terrified twelve had fled? 

When Simon cursed by the fire of coals, 
Did he stand by the captive instead? 

Was he with the group disconsolate 
Who lingered afar from the cross 

In the darkness, sobbing their sorrow deep 
And bemoaning their desperate loss? 

Did he watch with the guard at the scaled tomb 

For love's sake, not for scorn, 
Till the angel rolled away the stone 

In the dawn of the Easter morn? 

Then I wonder if, sooner than Mary, 
He sprang at the well-loved voice 

All eager to kiss the nail-scarred hand 
And, baying his welcome, rejoice. 

[14] 



'Tis only an artist's fancy 

In an age long past; yet our Lord 

Found place for the dogs in his parable lore 
And knew them by heart and by word. 

O dumb friend of man, ever constant, 
Of boundless affection and faith. 

Teach us to follow our Lord where He leads, 
To obey what our Master saith. 



[15] 



ON THE ROAD, AFOOT 

Lady Moon and Evening Star, 

Shine upon my way; 
Sink not yet behind the hills, 

Light my path, I pray. 
Long the road I plod tonight ; 

Dank and chill the dew; 
Somber are the thicket-shades ; 

I depend on you ! 

Evening Star and Lady Moon, 

Beam on placidly ; 
Make my rough and winding waj 

Plain to tread and see. 
Up the hill and down the dale, 

Pilots true ye are. 
Blessings on you, Lady Moon, 

Thank you. Evening Star ! 



[16] 



GOOD CHEER 

Out of the soil — 

The lily ; 
Out of the ooze — 

The pearl ! 
Up from the mortal 

Soars the immortal ; 
After hell's battle 

White flags unfurl ! 

God's here in his world, 
And the cross stands for human redeeming. 

Far o'er the sad earth 
Heaven's radiance is evermore streaming. 

Therefore, my soul, be true 

And undaunted; 
Never by ghosts of old fears 

Be thou haunted. 

Right is right — and not might. 

Truth is truth — and not sneers. 

Love is love — dry the tears. 
God is God — face the light ! 



[17] 



THE OLD CHURCH 

Burned in P'ond du Lac^, 1908 

Firm-framed with love, in faith deep-laid. 

Her walls uprose in days of old ; 
Her beams with prayer and service stayed, 

Adorned with graces manifold. 

To old and young her doors swung wide, 
To rich and poor her aisles were free ; 

While from her desk was magnified 
The gospel of sincerity. 

Here swelled the song and thrilled the prayer, 
With organ-tones rolled heavenward 

Like censer-clouds of incense rare; 

Here children thronged to learn God's Word ; 

Here plighted troths were sealed for aye, 

And sweet babes smiled 'neath christening 
hands ; 

Here penitents first learned to pray, 

And vowed to follow Christ's commands. 

O scenes beloved in other years. 
Dear faces lit from shining souls, 

Down through that mist of smiles and tears 
A gleam from heaven backward rolls! 

[18] 



Some still our mortal dwellings share, 
And some have passed beyond our sight ; 

But God is here, and God is there ; 
His heart is love, his ways are right. 

Outpours the fine gold from the flame ; 

Up from the dead seed blooms the flow er. 
Let husk consume, dross sink to shame, — 

No good is missed from heaven's sweet dower ! 

So we will trust when dims our joy, 
And earthly values rust and fade; 

Our wealth no ravage can destroy. 

God treasures safe, — we're not afraid ! 



[19] 



CHEQUAMEGON BAY 

Beautiful Chequamegon, 
Mirror of the setting sun, 
Sheltered from the North Sea's wiles 
By the fair Apostle Isles ! 
Odorous with spruce and pines 
Bend thy shores in curving lines, 
While along thy sun-kissed tides 
Many a stately vessel rides. 



[20] 



AUTUMN A REGINA 

Ho, the splendor of the maples ! 

Heigh, the glory of the oaks ! " 
Green and gold, with royal purple ; 

Scarlet-brown, with crimson cloaks ! 

Ha, the dazzle of the sunshine! 

Ah, the wonder of the sky ! — 
When sweet summer turns to autumn 

And the harvest days are nigh! 

Yellow pumpkins moon the cornfields 
Round the rustling shocks of maize, 

Ere the frost has wrought its havoc 
Or the sky has lost its haze; 

And the great moon rises softly. 
Silent, full-orbed, all aglow, 

While the coons and owls keep vigil 
O'er the nooks that lovers know. 



[21] 



THE "ANALUSIS" 

" The time has come for me to loose cable." II Tim- 
othy 4 : 6. 

" To loose cable and be with Christ is far better." 
Philippians 1:23. 

The great deep calls, the wind is high, 

Apace the long day wanes ; 
Up swings the night, mists veil the sky. 

And solemn darkness reigns. 

The deep-toned flood-tide murmurs low. 

My restless bark strains hard 
Upon its leash, as fain to go. 

Like thrall released from ward. 

This side, black shadows wall me in. 

The blasts of life blow chill ; 
Yet I loose cable fearlessly. 

For I can fear no ill. 

Beyond wide seas a beacon glows, — 

Star from a dim-seen shore, — 
The land of peace that thrills my dreams, — 

Sweet rest forevermore ! 

The fight is fought, the race is won ; 

To sail is better far. 
So jubilantly I embark 

To pass beyond the bar. 

[22] 



The Pilot, whom I trust for aye, 

Unseen is at the prow ; 
With him, the voyage is brief, the port 

Is sure to which I go. 



[23] 



EASTERTIDE 

Catkins and jonquils 

And Easter day once more! 
A thousand voices sing to us 

The spring-tide's happy lore; 
And all the world is leaping up 

To see the blessed light, 
For Christ has brought new life and hope, 

To drive away the blight. 



124] 



JUBILEE HYMN 

For the Fiftieth Anniversary of Ripon 
Congregational Church 

"Sing unto the Lord a new song." 

Lord of glory, who hast founded 

On the Living Rock thy Church, 
In thy wisdom all unbounded 

And thy power beyond our search, 
We adore thy love unceasing, 

Guarding us tlirough smiles and tears, 
Which has borne thy flock, increasing 

On through half a hundred years. 

From beginnings frail and slender — 

Hopes o'ershadowed deep with fear — 
All the way thy mercies tender 

Shone our widening path to cheer; 
Till to-day, with vision clearer. 

Stronger faith and bolder prayer, 
We behold thy kingdom nearer 

And its blest fulfilments share. 

We remember loved ones saintly 

Who have wrought thy service here, 

But whose prayers and graces faintly 
In our own poor lives appear. 

Safe in thy fair heaven abiding, 
Rest they now in endless peace, 
[25] 



Where, in thy pavilions hiding, 
From all ills they find release. 

With rejoicing and thanksgiving, 

We recall thy patient care. 
Roaming, resting, dying, living, 

Thou hast blessed us everywhere. 
Lead us still, O mighty Master, 

Moulding us to thy sweet will 
While the ages speed on faster. 

Thy great glory to fulfill. 



[26] 



THE EVERGREEN HILLS 

Oh, the glory and the glister of the sunlit fields 
of snow, 

Stretching far across the farm-lands toward the 
purple hills below ; 

Hemmed with thickets, darkling, leafless, shim- 
mering blue and brown and gray, 

Crowned with wind-breaks green and serried, — 
ranks of fir-trees in array ! 

Down the glens, all winds defying, stand the oaks 
with amber locks. 

Like a maiden's auburn tresses, by the corn- 
field's tattered shocks ; 

While the far hills roll toward sunset, pale and 
shadowy and dim. 

Flushed with splendor on their summits by the 
red sun's sinking rim. 

Far below, with tide majestic, falls the river to 
the sea. 

And beyond it rise dim highlands of a land 
that's dear to me ; 

And my dreams drift o'er that river to the 
gracious friends beyond. 

Whom my heart holds fast forever in indis- 
soluble bond. 



[27] 



FOR AN EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY 

What life attains, serene, its four-score years? 

What life fulfils its reach of time and space 

And beauty ? 'Tis the life that runs its race 
With patience, and divine high-calling hears ; — 
The childlike soul that trusts and bodes no fears, 

The spirit swift to do and teach, through 
grace. 

The truth and love of God ; finding a place 
To sympathize and bless in spite of cares. 

Such lives our grateful hearts will not forget. 
Such we congratulate in glad assemblings 
To render such frail honors as we may. 
We pray they long may linger with us yet, 
That we may farther trace divine resemblings 
And, by their light, through darkness fihd 
our way. 



[28] 



FRUSTRA 

As on the ocean's sandy marge, 

Strewn with white shells and dark-ribbed 
wrecks, 

Full many a foam-capped sea-wave breaks 
Borne in from the horizon's verge, 

And, bearing on its watery breast 
Kelp and sea-flowers of varied hue. 
Torn from the caverns where they grew. 

Tosses them shoreward from its crest ; 

But, ere they come within our reach, 
The faithless wave has turned to flee 
And, with its treasures from the sea, 

Ebbs sighing down the pebbled beach ; — 

So, o'er the waste of barren strand 

That bounds our sear and tide-washed years. 
Where many a wreck of hope appears 

Half buried in the shifting sand. 

Rolls now and then some buoyant wave, 

Foam-crested with bright thoughts of youth. 
Floating sweet memories which, in sooth. 

We fain would pluck from their damp grave ; 

But ere we grasp with eager hands 
These tokens of a happier day. 
The treacherous wave has ebbed away 

And left us shivering on the sands. 
[29] 



GODSPEED 

The quiet years drift slowly past, 

Sunshine and flowers illume the way. 
For you I pray that each fair day 

Be fairer, sweeter than the last. 



[30] 



CHRISTMAS GREETINGS 

To you, dear friend, with joy I send 
The merriest Christinas greeting. 

For you increase good-will and peace, 
All woes and ills defeating. 

Along the years, despite our fears, 

The heavens still are telling 
Their song sublime, while sweet bells chime 

Above each human dwelling. 

God bless you, friend, this Christmas day. 
And may your sun shine clearly 

The livelong year, and bring good cheer 
To all whom you love dearly. 



[31] 



A FIELD OF FLOATING ICE-CAKES 
LAKE MICHIGAN, 1909 

O MAGic-isLED Hespcndes, 

Down drifting from an ice-bound realm, 

Without a sail, without a helm. 
Lightly afloat on wintry seas ; — 

From whence, and whither, do ye roam. 
Wee bergs, escaped from arctic night ; 
Fair argosies of dazzling white. 

With decks of pearl and freight of foam ; 

White lily-pads, fair-fringed with down. 
Tossing upon the blue lake's breast. 
Now floating gaily, now at rest. 

Like snowy barks with ermine crown? 

Your elfin bulwarks in the sun 

Glisten and flash on azure tides; 
As some fair shallop lightly rides, 

Far from the shore of sand-hills dun. 

Skimming the deep with dancing prow, 
So glide ye on your mystic ways, — ■ 
A vision that forever stays, — 

Laden with " treasures of the snow." 



[32] 



NEARING HOME 

The log reels off from tlic foam-spread wake 

As the sea's wide waste we roam ; 
The knots are scored while the swift glass runs, 
And we welcome the slant of westering suns, 
Saying " One day nearer home ! " 

Rough waves lift high, and our good ship reels 

As they smite her shivering dome ; 
We are sick and wan with the heaving sea 
And the restless nights, and we pray to be 
elust one day nearer home. 

There is no moon, and the stars are hid ; 

The day like the night is gloom ; 
The rain beats fast ; dull mists descend, 
And the fog horn booms, yet at each day's end 

We are long leagues nearer home. 

Now day dawns clear with a sky serene, 

And a fresh wind lifts the foam ; 
Our keel glides merrily on her way 
And the sun shines bright ; yet the more we say, 

" Thank God, we are nearing home ! " 

So, voyagers on this wider sea 

O'er which our souls must roam. 
Wave-worn, spray-blinded on the deck, 
Rudderless, anchorless, a-wreck, — 

God bring us safely home! 
[33] 



A VALENTINE 

Palm or pine, 

Valentine, 
Thou are mine and I am thine. 

East or west. 

Work or rest. 
My sweetheart is always best. 



[34] 



A SONG OF SEPTE^NIBER 

Oh, the glen below the manse, 
Where the golden-rod is glowing 

And the purple asters dance 
In the pleasant wind a-blowing! 
Oh, the sheen of yellow tinting, 

Where they nod like fairy folk 
When the sun-rays fall a-glinting 

Down the shining leaves of oak ! 

'Tis a scene you must remember, 
As you pass along your w ay 

From the shiver of December 
To the balminess of May, 
For the pathos of romance 

That so sets your heart a-going 
When the purple asters dance 

And the golden-rod is glowing. 



[35] 



« MY PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU " 

" My peace I give," said Jesus, — heavenly 
gift — 
To sorrowing, toiling ones a blessed boon! 
His peace, that makes our winter spring, our 
midnight noon ; 
Potent to dry our tears, our burdens lift. 
To smite through every cloud a sunny rift, 
To soothe our tears with some sweet angel 

tune. 
Thy peace, O Lord! It cannot come too 
soon ; 
Let it descend as summer rains down-drift. 

We need it when the anxious days drag by, 
We need it when the nights confer no rest ; 

We need it when for loved ones missed we sigh, 
Or when we cannot see God's way is best. 

tender Master, bend to our low cry ; — 
Abide with us ; become our constant guest. 



L36] 



AN APRIL SONG 

Welcome, Hepatica! 
When the frosty soil heaves, 
Bursting tlirough the withered leaves, 

Matted from the fall ; 

Blithe little messenger 
Waking from thy winter rest, 
Springing from thy downy nest 

At the robin's call ! 

Fair, sweet Hepatica! 
In the barren forest glen 
Lifting up thy silky buds 

So graceful and so light, 
Tipped with blue and purple 

And tipped with pink and white; 
Tinted like the sea-shells 
Scattered by the tropic main. 
Wreathed with a diadem — 

A mottled, russet crown 
Woven out of leafy hearts 

Of elfin green and brown ! 

Joyful Hepatica ! 
Smiling under dark skies. 
Laughing as the snow flies, 

In gusts of windy weather! 

Brave little flower-heart! 

[37] 



Though the forest trees stand bare 
In the chilly April air, 
Holding up thy happy head, 
By God's angels thou art fed — 
Sun and rain together ! 

Trustful Hepatica! 
Prophet of the springing year, 
Prophet undismayed by fear 

Lest the promise fail thee; 

Patiently hopeful, 
Knowing that the blessed Lord 
Standeth ever by his word, 

Though fierce storms assail thee. 



[38] 



VINTAGE-TIME 

The world in gold and crimson yields her fruit, 
But loving souls bear harvests nobler far, — 
Years fair and peaceful as the evening star, 

Heart-songs whose tones excel the dulcet lute. 



[39] 



SUNSET TO GLOAMING 

ON DECK , 

The sun drifts down on an opal sky, 

And the saffron kisses the blue ; 
While a bright path shimmers in golden waves, 
Reaching out from the land which the dark tide 
laves, — 

And my thoughts rush home to you. 

The red sun sinks below the verge 

Of a dusky film of shorc ; 
The opal and gold into crimson turn, 
For the lamp of the day has ceased to burn 

Its path on the wave-tossed floor. 

Across the offing the dim sails pass 
Where shadows and mists lie deep, 

While the purpling East and crimson West 

Clasp hands in a benediction blest 
To lull the world asleep. 

Thinner and darker the film of shore 

That girdles the steel-blue tide; 
The rich tints die from the splendid sky ; 
The darkness looms ; cool night draws nigh ; 

And the stars no longer hide. 



[40] 



The fresh breeze whirrs through stack and 
spar; 
The heavens are a spangled bow ; 
The slioreline shows but the light-liousc flames, 
While waves at the prow play shadowy 
games, — 
God speed us whither we go ! 



[41] 



GULLS OVER LAKE MICHIGAN 

High up in the tempest the white gulls soar, 
Facing the blast with its dash and its roar. 
The wilder the wind, the fiercer the gale. 
The lighter of pinion they hover and sail. 

They wheel in spirals and circles vast 
Above tossed vessels with rocking masts, 
Then, motionless, poise with wings spread wide 
In glorious freedom and splendor of pride. 

From airy pose, on steadiest wing 

They dive to the spray, then heavenward 

spring; 
Riding the tempest, exulting in power. 
Braving the storm when the black clouds lower. 



[42] 



HEART'S CHALLENGE 

Sunshine and moonshine 
And love beyond the telling; 

Night dreams and day-dreams, 
Sweet words that need no spelling' 

Since you are mine, my Valentine, 
No more I live forlornly. 

So keep you true, as I to you. 
And never eye me scornly. 



[43] 



INCERTA 

" Who hath not sent out ships to sea." — Menken. 

I LAUNCHED a white-wiiiged ship on the sea, 
With my treasure of golden ore; 

Gaily she floated away, away, 

But I stand here waiting, day after day,^ — 
Shall I see her never more? 

I tied a pearl to a wild bird's throat, — 

A pearl that was costly and rare; 
On the lightest of wings away she flew 
Till I saw but a speck in the sky of blue. 
And my pearl had vanished in air. 

I trusted my heart to a maiden, with hopes 

That were dearer than pearls or gold, 
But she, too, drifted away from me 
On the fickle waves of a tlioughtless sea. 
Ah, years, I am growing old! 



[44] 



DEDICATION HYMN 

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, 1910 

" Ring out the old ; ring in the new ! " 
Yet keep the old to bless the new, — 
I'he old that's dear, the old that's strong. 
The old that thrills the new to song. 

We loved the old, we'll love the new. 

As God unfolds the broader view ; 

From strength to strength, from grace to 

grace. 
With swifter feet we'll run the race. 

The new nmst be of finer mould. 
Of nobler grace and larger-souled ; 
More firm in faith, in love more broad, 
]\Iore kind to man, more true to God. 

Christ's world is looming into light; 
Then bolder stand we for the right! 
Peace to the Gentile and the Jew; 
God save the old ; God speed the new ! 

Our Father's God, we dedicate 

To Thy great Love our temple-gate. 

Its walls and towers, in faith upraised. 

Shall stand for Thee. Thy Name be praised! 



[45] 



Here may we come to find God's rest ; 
Forth may we go to make men blest ; — 
For all Thy children, great or small, 
Thy cup of cheer, Th}^ welcome call! 
Amen. 



[46] 



OFF THE NEWFOUNDLAND COAST 

" Seven bolls, and all is clear! " 

Tlirough a crimson and purple door 
The sun sinks down o'er the darkling mere, 
And a shinnner of glory the ocean paves 
Till a moon-lit path on the dazzling waves 
Gleams toward Cape Breton's shore. 

" Seven bells, and all is clear ! " 

Now the lights are burning bright; 

Newfoundland's shadowy coast looms near; 

Stars beam above the beacon's glow ; 

The foam leaps back from our cleaving prow 
And the deck-watch guards the night. 

" Seven bells, and all is clear ! " 

As we sweep toward the windy sea. 
Riding the tide with never a fear 
While evening hymns thrill sweet below. 
For God's love watches and cares, we know. 
Wherever His children be. 

" Seven bells, and all is clear ! " 

So we rock on our billowy way. 
And our hearts turn back to the home-friends 

dear 
Who remember and pray for our safe return ; 
Then we slumber in peace, while the dim lamps 
bum. 
Till God brings back the day. 
[47] 



THE LAST SNOW 

Whence do ve journey, snow-flakes white. 
Dropping down daintily, feathery light? 
Were ye sent forth by yon dull gray cloud 
That covers the earth with a somber shroud? 
Do ye not fear from the sky to float. 
Gliding down each like an elfin boat 
Borne by a tiny crystal sail 
As white as a fairy's bridal veil? 

Ye rock and dance on the waves of air. 
Ye laugh and exult in your beauty rare, 
Now darting down in a headlong flight, 
Now stopping to play with the zephyrs light. 
O snow-flakes, heedless of danger near, 
Ye hurry on in your mad career. 
Remembering not in your careless mirth 
That ye speed your way toward the cold, dead 
earth. 

Rush on in your course ! Ye are doomed to die ! 
In the damp yellow grass ye will shortly lie. 
As a winding sheet shall it wrap you round, 
And your graves shall be in the dull, cold 

ground. 
The brown leaves over you dirges sing. 
As still to their branches they fondly cling; 
And the oak-trees sigh in the moaning wind. 
As sadly above you they wave and bend. 

[48] 



But they whisper with joy of a speeding day 
When winter and snow shall have passed away ; 
When the breath of spring shall awake the 

flowers, 
And the grass grow green under April showers ; 
When the streams, released from their icy 

chains. 
Will joyfully wander through verdant plains; 
And the birds, returned to a northern clime, 
Shall warble the songs of the summer time. 



[49] 



FOR A LAKE DE NEVUE COTTAGE 
GUEST-BOOK 

Fair lake, whose still face mirrors summer 
skies, 

Rippled by light winds, tossed to foam by 
storm, — 

Resting entranced I view thy pictures, warm 
With dawn or sunset colorings, where rise 
Green, bowery terraces of changeful guise 

In thy clear deeps reflected, form on form 

Of placid beauty. An unending charm, 
A joyous peace, forever round thee lies. 

But sweeter still the hospitable rest 

Of this loved cottage, and that heart within 
So rich in gentle courtesies, — so strong 
To cheer and shelter many a weary guest 

Or grateful, way-worn toiler, who has been 
Here freshened to new life and tuned to 
song. 



[50] 



GOD'S PEACE 

Like troubled seas that cannot rest, 
So human hearts, with sin oppressed, 
By winds of woe and tides of ill 
Tossed to and fro, — aye, restless till 
The peace of God is found. 

Grief will not pause ; tears will not dry ; 
Temptations lurk and fears defy. 
The good desired we fail to do, 
Pursuing vainly what we rue. — 

O God of Peace, draw near ! 

O peace of God, O God of Peace, — 
Be now our refuge and release 
From sin and grief, from loss and fears,- 
Sweet calm for all our troubled years. 
Thy peace, O God, we crave ! 



[51] 



A DREAM OF THE MEADOWS 

Oh, the waving of the grass ! 

How it rests you as you pass 
Where the sea of emerald billows rolls away 

Under skies of living blue, 

Dashed with clouds of magic hue, 
In the sweetness of the fair midsummer day ! 

Ranks of olive-tinted plumes, 

Crowned with haze of purple blooms, 
With a scent of crimson clover in the air ; — 

How it soothes with mystic charm 

Every dread that might alarm ; 
What a talisman to banish teasing care! 

Sunbeams on the waving crests, 

Shadows in their hollow nests, 
Rising, bowing, in the measure of a song; 

Fairy high-lights glide and glisten 

While enchanted here I listen 
To the roundelays of birds in happy throng. 

Dreamy sounds come floating near, 

Elfin secrets open clear. 
From the hidden world of teeming mysteries ! 

Sails my soul upon that sea 

Toward the isles of Arcady, 
Gently wafted by the odorous summer breeze. 

[52] 



SERENETAS 

Sweet summer day, too soon to dusk descend- 
ing, 
Peace in the air, deep azure overhead. 
Soft grassy pillows for my throbbing head; 
Cool, soothing airs, green branches lowly bend- 
ing, 
While through the mottled screen, veiled sun- 
rays, blending. 
Soft filter downward o'er my sylvan bed — 
Heaven's sapphire with earth's emerald newly 
wed — 
All gracious sympathies to weakness lending! 

Harsh care is banished, rest and peace are here ; 
Beneath the arching oaks that fringe the 
wood. 
Heart, mind and body drink in blessed 
quiet ; 
A Sabbath hush broods over land and mere. 
Deep things of God now clearly understood. 
My soul finds foretaste of immortal diet. 



[53] 



" EBENEZER " 

Decennial hymn for Winnetka^ Illinois, 1884 
"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us" 

O Lord, all consecrated wills, 

All loving graces, are from thee. 

In chastenings thy dear face we see ; 
Thy hand our cup of blessing fills. 

Thou, Lord, hast helped us hitherto ; 

With tender hearts thy grace we own. 
This night be our memorial stone; 

We, living sacrifices true. 

Faith's household make us, Lord, indeed, 
Together bound as bound to thee ; 

From Sin, O Savior, make us free. 

With bread of heaven supply our need. 

Light of the World, upon us shine. 

In thy light, grant us light to see, 
Grace to reflect each ray from thee. 

Lighting our world with love divine. 



[54] 



FOR ALMA MATER 

Beloit College, Wisconsin 



A SONG FOR BELOIT 

From the " Beloit College Song-book " 

Raise the song and make it ring; 

Here's to old Beloit! 
All her sons and daughters sing; 

Here's to old Beloit! 
Loyal hearts o'er land and sea, 
Stalwart breasts who wear the " B," 
Hail, our mother, three times three! 

Here's to old Beloit ! 

Sing the names revered of old; 

Here's to old Beloit! 
Whom dear memories still enfold ; 

Here's to old Beloit ! 
Souls who gave their noblest years, 
Dared the toils and braved the fears, 
Men with vision like the seer's; 

Here's to old Beloit ! 

Hold the " spirit " strong and high ; 

Here's to old Beloit ! 
Never let its fei*vor die; 

Here's to old Beloit! 
Cherish all the past has gained — 
" Science true with faith unfeigned " ; 
Keep the sunshine hues unstained ; 

Here's to old Beloit ! 
[57] 



Comrades for the world's new day, — 

Here's to old Beloit ! 
Partners on the toilsome way, — 

Here's to old Beloit ! 
Bravely choose the task benign, 
Boldly face the battle-line. 
Win the field in might divine ; 

Here's to old Beloit ! 

Bear the pennant, wide unfurled ; 

Here's to old Beloit ! 
Shed the luster round the world ; 

Here's to old Beloit! 
Keep her manhood clean and strong, 
Trample down the ranks of wrong, 
Love the faith and sing the song ; 

Here's to old Beloit ! 



[58] 



HYMN 

For the Second Inauguration of President 
Eaton of Beloit College 

The past, God, was of thy grace. 

The future is thy care; 
With thanks, to-day, we seek thy face. 

Thy boundless mercy share. 

O Light of Lights, dawn on our way ; 

Mankind's frail vision clear; 
Illumine things unseen, we pray ; 

Bring Heaven's kingdom near. 

O Faith of Faiths, where true hearts rest 

And learn what passes sense, 
Securely guide our coming quest, 

Though shadows hover dense. 

O Truth of Truths that make men free. 

In thee fast may we stand ; 
Dissolve our doubts in serving thee. 

And move at thy command. 

O Love Divine, Eternal Word, 

Our College guard and keep ; 
For his high task, thy servant gird 

As shepherd of thy sheep. 

[59] 



" INTO ALL THE WORLD " 

For a Portrait Unveiling of Foreign Missionary 
Alumni from Beloit College, 1912 

The sun in his stately round — 
Swift traversing land and mere, 
Encompasing all the sphere — 
Hath naught more beneficent found, 
More worthy of being renowned, 
Than a zone of compassionate souls 
That encircles the globe as it rolls, 
Brings Paradise earthward again, 
With peace and goodwill among men 
To the continents' farthest bound. 

Fond Mother of daughters and sons, — 

Beloit, as thy worthiest dower 

Reckon this, that the sway of thy power, 

Hand to hand, heart to heart, over-runs 

The wide world with a warmth like the sun's, — 

Benedictions that fall like the shower 

Upon deserts a-thirst, till the flower 

And the verdure return ; till heaven's grace 

Distills balm on a pain-ridden race. 

Brings peace to earth's comfortless ones. 

Forth-faring, they dare and endure 
Heavy toils in the spirit and name 
Of the Christ, the Anointed, who came 
To publish good news to the poor. 
To the captive release; to insure 
[60] 



Happy sight to the blind ; to proclaim 

Health and cure for the bruised and the lame; 

To herald abroad, with good cheer 

To mankind, God's acceptable year. 

Souls heroic such labors allure. 

God bless them ! our sisters and brothers 

Who earth-ties and gains bid adieu, 

And their call from afar follow true ; 

Seeking not for themselves but for others, — 

Hapless children, sad fathers and mothers 

Of many a region and hue. 

These by faith a dead world create new ; 

Nerved with love, overcome every ill ; 

From whose hope, gushing clear like the rill, 

Streams a life which all worldliness smothers. 

Slow looms our blind w^orld into light ; 

On marches the Infinite plan ; 

Till each man shall be brother to man 

The world round, when we fathom love's height, 

Length and breadth, biding safe in the might 

Of God's fatherhood. Who leads the van 

Of the host.^ That brave, neighborly clan 

Who, love-ruling, love-serving, love-blessing, 

One Mastery boldly confessing. 

Keep faith that fair day will end night. 

Bless God for the boon of the old! 
Thank God for the cheer of the new, — 
[61] 



For horizons that lift to our view 
Gleaming fair with fulfilments untold! 
As God's aeons serenely unfold, 
And hopes, long delayed, ripen true, 
Let us follow the heavenly clue 
Where it leads, — swift to enter God's way, 
Fain our Shepherd's wise rule to obey, 
Till our world is all won to his fold ! 

So this life-fount that laves every land 
In full tides of blessing will flow ; 
And its sun-tinted colors shall glow 
Till its rainbow of promise has spanned 
Flowery Nipon, fair India's strand, 
The far-islanded seas ; and shall throw 
Over China new-born, upon slow- 
Rising Africa's glooms, rays divine ; 
O'er the broad Moslem realms freely shine, 
Till heaven holds earth by the hand. 



[62] 



YE SOPHOiMORE 
A PARODY 

RiGHTE lordlie is ye Sophomore, 

As any kinge may be ; 
And eke, his pate to elevate, 

A plugge hatte wcareth he. 

Ye classics trouble not his minde, 
Full safely dothe he ride ; 

And t rustic steede, in time of neede, 
Is ever bye his syde. 

Ye epics of ye poetes' past 

He eyes with scornfulle smyle; 

And with disdayne he deemeth vaine 
Ye Socrates, his style. 

Right cheerfulle is ye Sophomore 

As any merrie grigge ; 
And oft with glee rejoiceth he 

In running from ye trygge. 

And when ye closing of ye weeke, 
With leisure houre, hath come, 

Fulle joyfullie indulgeth he 
Ye customarie bumme. 



[63] 



Ye peanuttes and ye flowinge bowle 
Relieve his wearied minde, 

But ah, his beere, ye folk do feare. 
Is of ye strongest kinde ! 

Anon, he wand'reth through ye streetes 

And singeth to ye postes. 
Ye sidewalks tears, and little cares 

For all ye midnighte ghostes. 

Ye boardes upon ye townsman's fence 
With zeal he maketh free; 

And from ye hinge to lift 3'e gate, 
A merrie sinne thinks he. 

But when he heares, with trembling feares. 

Ye rattlinge of ye blinde. 
With haste his heeles he useth welle, 

Ye hydinge place to finde. 

Eke softer is ye Soph his hearte 
Than is ye Soph his crowne, 

And plaine to see adoreth he 
Ye lassies of ye towne. 

And when ye Sunneday nappe is o'er 
And comes ye Sunneday nighte, 

With cloves his breath he sweeteneth, 
His bootcs he shyneth brighte. 

[64] 



With dapper gaite he gocth straighte 
To nieete his mayden faire, 

And arm in arm to kirk they turne, 
" Ye gospel for to hcare." 

Right jollie is yc Sophomore, 

And wild ye oates he sowes ; 
For soon must he a Junior be, — 

Ye Soph, his joyes must close. 



[65] 



IN MEMORY OF 
PROFESSOR JAMES J. BLAISDELL 

For the Fiftieth Anniversary of Beloit 
College 

O Mother kind, who tenderly hast borne 
Upon thy gentle heart, these two score years 
And ten, and nurtured into man's estate 
Thy generations who have come and passed. 
Who toiling walk earth's dusty roads afar 
With never waning love and faith for thee ; — 
Mother, who bear'st to-day with queenly grace 
Thy green half-century's crown of olive-leaf 
Entwined by loyal sons, yet wear'st no less 
The bloom and smile of fresh, unwrinkled 

youth ; — 
Like children tired of play, breathless and 

flushed. 
We wander home, back from life's reeking mists 
And blinding whirl, all gratefully content 
To soothe ourselves, spending one little hour 
In thy embrace. 

O college home beloved. 
Fair stand thy walls and pinnacles to-day, 
From small beginnings rising into power 
And comeliness within God's sheltering hand. 
In thee the whole round world is blest ; and still 
Blessed the labors wrought within thy doors. 
Deep underneath thy visible structures lie 

[66] 



Foundations sure and strong whereon are graven 
Rare histories of courage, prayer and hope 
In earlier days. Ask you wliat stones are these? 
Not quarried granite, massive niarhle cubes, 
Not jasper, chrysoprase, nor emerald, 
Nor amethyst; but costlier far than all, — 
Heroic souls, laid down through strenuous years 
Of sacrifice and labor, love-bestowed. 
For the great kingdom's service; lives sublime, 
Self-builded into an immortal fabric. 
Based on the Rock of Ages ; '* living stones," 
Impregnable to all attacks of time ; — 
Such lives, to-day, we reverence in our song. 

Some linger yet, whose whitening heads, to us. 
Wear halos, — late returning to the heavens ; 
But whose dear faces shine as touched afar 
Already with the splendors of a dawn 
Celestial. 

Some have passed into the lands 
Serene and vernal, where the sons of God 
See as he sees and know as they are known ; 
Whose works do follow them. 

To one of these. 
With throbs of grief subdued by thankfulness, 
This day of days we join in tender tribute. 

He stood here, one brief year ago, 

A form with kingly eye and mien ; 
A prince of men, he w^alked with God 
[67] 



Through pregnant years, then strangely trod 
A pathway dark with pain and awe, 
Into the realm unseen. 

Here, where vast streams of empire meet, 
He came in manhood's sturdy prime. 

And threw his wealth of mind and heart 

Into high contest to impart 

To young lives, crude and incomplete, 
Enthusiasms sublime. 

The heights of faith, the breadths of law, 
Fair Nature's page, devoutly read. 

Had schooled him for his high career 

Till, with the vision of the seer, 

The child's simplicity, he saw 
How noblest souls are bred. 

Deep on his mighty heart he bore 
This college, and its task divine 
Of forging character. His love 
Shrank from no sacrifice, but strove 
With heavenly flame to shape rough ore 
Into a temper fine. 

He read men's souls with insight clear. 

And found their best. His eye of flame, 
That melted ever to a smile. 
The uncouth and timid could beguile 
To dare brave deeds and persevere. 
The headstrong gently tame. 
[68] 



Sure was his friendship, warm his hand, 
The awkward, homesick lad to cheer. 

His measure of the man was true ; 

His kindly counsels stirred anew, 

In every soul that touched him, grand 
Ideals and plans sincere. 

Scant use he found for textbook lines, 

Learned fads, scholastic subtleties, — 
Mere surface culture; from within 
He wrought, with master touch, to win 
Sense, mind and will to high designs, 
Unmarred by sophistries. 

The best he gave us w^as himself. 

His great soul our ambitions drew 
Up manhood's loftier grades and modes 
Toward life's best aims, — at antipodes 
From passion, pride and lust for pelf, — 

The endless life in view. 

Full learned in many a tongue was he ; 

Arts, sciences, philosophies. 
Wide realms of letters, history's lore. 
Poesy, politics, all bore 
Him wealth ; yet blent in one great plea 

For Christlike sympathies. 

Rich meanings to all life he gave ; 
All souls he would to fitness bring, 
[69] 



" Trained by experiences here, 
For any work in any sphere." 
A man, indeed, who sought " to have 
The Christ in everything." 

For larger than his calling here, 

His heart went out to all men's need, — 
The poor, the untaught, the manacled. 
The orphaned waif, God's toilers held 
By tyrannies. — His voice rang clear, 
Mercy and truth to plead. 

No cause of justice found him dumb, 

Nor civic wrong nor social sin. 
The workman and the little child 
Knew him their friend and, grateful, smiled. 
Statesman and jurist loved to come 

His skilled advice to win. 

Deep in his soul God's kingdom dwelt. 

He yearned to broaden its domain 
In fields unblest, on pagan strands. 
More reapers for white harvest-lands 
He longed to send and, praying, dealt 

To share their loss or g-ain. 



O" 



I see him in his class-room still. 

With face, now smiling, now severe; 
No listless eye nor reckless mood 
He suffered; well he understood 
[70] 



To rouse dull mind, to nerve weak will, 
And shape the concept clear. 

I see him in his study chair, 

Wrapped in an atmosphere serene; 

His favorite books of themes world-wide. 

Pictures and keepsakes by his side ; 

Or roaming with a thoughtful air 
Through forest archways green. 

I see him in the chapel hall, 

His voice of rich-toned pathos hear 
Interpreting God's word anew. 
Then, lifted in such prayer as threw 
A spell of awe around us all, 

Till heaven's gate seemed near. 

And still our hearts delight to stroll 

O'er happy trails of bygone days; 
Again in sweet companionship 
We clasp his hand; our spirits dip 
Into the deep springs of his soul. 
Along life's thirsty ways. 



Can he be dead, this royal one ; 
And has he gone beyond our ken.^ 
His thrilling voice, his potent pen,- 

Must they be missed till time is done? 

[71] 



So strong, so true, so kind, so great, — 
" God's will " the token on his shield — 
He martyred fell, yet won the field 

Whose victory only seemed defeat. 

The oaken wreath upon his door, 

The grave with autumn splendors spread. 
The bowed processions with their dead, 

The sweet hymns chanted o'er and o'er. 

The eulogies, so poor at best ; — 
All these are but the outward signs 
Of grief profound, of love's deep lines. 

Graven in hearts that wish him rest, — 

Rest, after toils without surcease. 
Burdens he would to none confess ; 
Out of an " infinite distress " 

Swift passage to God's endless peace. 



What load of hearts on him was laid ; 

What serious problems of the state ; 

The needs of men, the kingdom's weight ! 
He stood like Atlas, undismayed, 

Till, weary, overborne with pain, 

Strange shadows crushed him to the ground; 

Sharp lightnings from a gloom profound 
Thrust to his heart and left him slain. 

[72] 



And broken is the golden bowl, 

Loosed is the silver cord. Not here 
His face will smile, his voice will cheer ; 

We miss the music of his soul. 

The moonbeams flood the amber skies, 

The still stars shine, the days speed on ; 
We toil, bereft, since he hath gone 

Where kindlier spheres his service prize. 

lie is iiot child. His life throbs on 
In souls uncounted whom he blessed 
With sight and power in rich behest. 

Whose potency is scarce begun. 

In those far fields of dazzling sheen 
Where he for aye doth walk in light 
With kindred spirits, robed in white, 

We '11 learn, perchance, what this can mean. 

O Mother-queen, thy day hath well begun! 
Rich legacies from the dear past are thine ; 
God send thee myriads more of gifts benign. 
Advancing stately toward thy zenith sun. 
Thine be, at length, the Master's sweet " well- 
done." 
Let nothing swerve thee from thy great de- 
sign, 
Young lives to lead, enlighten and refine. 
God speed thy golden centurv's course to run! 
[731 



A noble host of witnesses on high, 

With legions of thy loyal children nigh, 
Look on to cheer thee and to reenforce. 
May grace be thine and all divine resource,- 

Fruitions that surpass all prophecy ; 

More lustrous crowns thy head to glorify ! 



[74] 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

illllllilllllililllliliilllii 

016 235 526 







